Pictures {to come}

Alright, so I realize this is a teaser, but we have a lot of pictures to come.  I just wanted all of you to know that I'm not taking a break (or falling behind), but this week is going to be a bit crazy as Chad is preparing to leave for a hunting trip, and I'll be preparing for my mom to come visit {yay!!!!!}, which means I may or may not get to posting anything again until Wednesday night.

I will be uploading and editing like a mad woman (remember how much I accomplished when Chad was at the Widowmaker?)!  At least this time I'm simply getting current things posted :)

So, I figured, while you wait patiently for me to upload pictures of the things we've been up to lately (including a couple of photo shoots-can't wait to edit those babies) that I might share a few bloggers that I enjoy reading.  A few of these bloggers I personally know, while the others I simply enjoy reading.  I hope you'll check them out, if you have time, and that you will enjoy them!

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On the Avenue is such a cute little company that creates and sells home decor!  They are based out of Utah (not far from Logan), and their stuff is amazing :) Every day they feature a sale item (that is typically 50% off retail), and they also do a weekly giveaway.  Mandy & Eric make other items and custom pieces, as well!  They're fabulous, and we love them (so does our house)!

Do you read Nie? If you don't, you should!  It is Stephanie Nielson's blog, a cute, crafty, fun mom who lives in Provo.  Her story is uplifting: she was in a terrible plane crash several years ago and was badly burned.  Want more info on her story?  You should read her book; it is wonderful, sad, uplifting, spiritual, and just great!  Her blog features her children (who are always dressed so adorably) and the fun activities they do.  It's fun reading about families who love being together :)

OK, so if you love vintage in the cute, farmhouse fashion, you should definitely check out Vintage Farm Furniture.  It is this sweet couple from Pocatello who refinish old pieces and who sell sweet interior items, too!  We've purchased a few things from them- they make it affordable, and the items are as amazing in person as they are online!

And, on a different note, I've been reading The Weed.  Here's a caveat: it absolutely is NOT what it sounds like, so no worries :)  I heard about this blog on facebook a few months ago when Josh (the author) posted this post.  His blog was about humor (and it still definitely is), but it has evolved.  Their story is interesting, thought-provoking, and different than any other perspective I've ever heard.  I like that.  I like that some people have different views.  For me, it restores my hope in love, diversity, and acceptance.  It's a good one, and I urge you to read it.  Much, much different from similar stories that are mainstream, which is something I always appreciate!

Well, I think I've supplemented your reading for the next few days!  Please remember to come back mid-week :)  Don't go forgetting about me!!

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to Colorado we go!

At the end of July we took a long awaited trip to Colorado!  And let me tell you, it was incredibly fun :)  We had a couple of days at the beginning and end with just the four of us, and we were so lucky to have my parents and Mike & Em with us in between!  The girls had a blast, which made it even more fun for us.  These pictures are not complete- several of them are on my iPod thanks to Instagram, and I have yet to upload those.  So, this will be a beginning post, and a second post of pictures will come sometime later (with my luck it will be way later)!

 {Mountains in WY near where we camped}

 {Yes, so we went on a "hike," a term which I will use very loosely as Chloe is wearing flip-flops and Chad is pushing Berkley in her stroller.  Yes, it was a "hike." }

 {Just when we thought camping was a terrific idea, this rolled in.  The moral of the story: check the weather before you drag camping stuff six hours away or else you will be rained and hailed on in your tent &, if you're anything like us, you will have a toddler and a preschooler in your bed with you as they worry about the thunder and lightening... all night long!}

 {Pronghorn just over the Colorado border}

 {Hummingbirds galore at the Moose Visitor Center in CO}

 {A sweet barbed wire moose @ the Moose Visitor Center}

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OK, so this is very important, every time we ate outside the weather turned inclement! It would turn overcast, then rain without fail.  Sad, huh?  But we luckily stayed relatively dry :)

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 {the only wildlife we saw in Colorado... it was a bit disappointing to be completely honest}

 {Sweet Sisters}

 {Us girls- yes, I realize the color is not fabulous, but after so many attempts to help it, I finally said, "Good enough!"}

 {Near the top of Rocky Mountain National Park- it was what, about 11,000 feet or so?}

 {Grandma with her girls}

 {My darling Berkley}

 {Chloe checking out this elevator... who knows where this is?  Do you recognize it?  I took several not great photos of the exterior, so perhaps you would know right away if I had posted one... This is the Stanley Hotel, home of the movie "The Shining."}

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We visited Breckenridge, which was amazing, and we went gold panning at the Country Boy Mine.  It was an experience, one that I think we all wish had been less of a sham.  Nothing like panning the same dirt, sand & silt as people from probably 1970 on... :) 

 {Berkley wasn't much into it, but she gave it one good try!}

 {Chloe enjoyed this thoroughly, and she even brought a piece of Fool's Gold home}

 {The entire trip Berkley was obsessed with Emily's purse, namely her lip gloss. Here is an equation: Berk + lip gloss = sweet, hot mess}

 {Chloe crosses the "river"....}

 {.... me capturing her mid fall!}

 {the sweet, freckly aftermath. beautiful}

 {Chloe being one of the donkeys they had there}

{Never fail my girls will find animals.  This cat sort of wondered up by us out of nowhere.  They love it. Go figure :)}

We had a great trip!  I captured a lot, but what I am sad that I missed was taking my camera into Santa's Workshop, an amusement park near Pike's Peak not far from Colorado Springs.  They had so much fun!!!! Berk's favorite was the roller coaster, while Chloe enjoyed the Tilt-a-whirl!  I think we spent four hours there, and I am positive they could've spent even more time.  It was fun.  I love seeing my children be happy.  It was a wonderful day, and it was a fantastic trip.  Let's do it again soon, OK guys??  

Friendship

{I found this quote & picture here}

Friends. I have been thinking about friendship in general for the past several weeks, which was likely sparked by the passing of our dear friend (and Chad's best friend) Kenny.  For those of you who do not know, he had Melanoma cancer that began two years ago with an atypical mole.  We loved Kenny so much, and so many things remind us of him: Green Day songs, Dumb & Dumber, Ridiculousness, anything having to do with fishing or the Jazz... and the list goes on.  We miss him, and we certainly cherished his friendship.  Chad had the opportunity to speak at his funeral, which was not easy, but Kenny was whispering to Melanie that he should speak.  He took comfort (and, coincidentally part of his talk) from  this article.  What great comfort it brings knowing that this life is not the end- families are eternal, and I believe the friendships are, too.  I know that we will see Kenny again, and what a blessed day that will be!

My Grandma once said that she had the best friends.  Well, Gram, I'm going to have to steal your line because it definitely applies to me as well.  I do have the best friends anyone could ask for!  They are near and far, in different stages of their lives, but they are all amazing in more ways than one.  I know that I will never have the words to express my gratitude and love to my friends, but I hope that they know how much I love and care for them :)

Cherish your friends, love them, care for them, be there for them always.  Life is so precious, and we never know what life has in store next, so hold those that are dear to you closer.  And please don't hesitate to tell those you love that you love them, for you may never have the opportunity again....

Kenny, we love you so much.  We know you are at peace and enjoying all of those things that you love in Heaven.  Chad & I are so grateful that you will be watching over your sweet Melanie and cute, little Taya.  We will do all that we can to love and support them, and we know that your families will always be there for them, too.  We miss you; we think of you often; our prayers are with your forever family here on this earth; we love you, friend :)

But, let me explain!

So yes, I do realize it has been quite some time since I've posted (a month, to be exact), but there are MANY words to explain why...

Triping (to Colorado)
Unpacking (sigh)
BUSY(yes, I realize this is obvious, but it's so true!)
Dating- Chad and I dating each other is what I mean, as in we went on a date for our 7th anniversary
Goodbye.... We love you and miss you, Kenny!
Tears (which fell and continue to fall)
Gratitude (for all the blessings we have in this life)
Busy. Yes busy, again.  Isn't that what summer is all about??  Well, I am going to try to fit blogging into the busy category this weekend, though we have a ton of fun things coming up!

All of those words above will be posts, well, maybe not all individually, but I will be telling you all about them.  As I strive to continue with being caught up on my blog, I ask you to remember that what I am doing that might make me slack a bit, per se, is this: cherishing every moment with the ones I love.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!  Thanks for stopping in, and please come back to read about all of the events that have been going on (and some things that have simply been swimming through my head for the last little while).

Much love,
Jen